How a Melbourne hotel helped jumpstart struggling Tina Turner’s solo career in the early 1980s – before the late star repaid her in the wake of her Private Dancer success
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford has revealed the role the Melbourne Hilton played in getting Tina Turner back on her feet during a career slump.
Peter recalled how the American megastar’s career came to a complete halt as she began her solo career in the early ’80s.
The star was persuaded by Australian music producer Roger Davies to let him act as her manager, after which Davies booked her for the Hilton Ballroom.
“One of the first gigs he got her was a gig at the Hilton Hotel in Melbourne,” Peter recalled to 3AW on Thursday.
Entertainment shows were held in the Hilton Ballroom in the 1980s.
Entertainment reporter Peter Ford revealed in a chat on 3AW on Thursday how a Melbourne hotel helped jumpstart ailing Tina Turner’s solo career in the early 1980s
Peter recalled how the hotel booked Tina 12 months in advance before her 1984 album Private Dancer was released.
‘She [The Hilton] “I booked her about 12 months in advance and at that point nobody was really interested in Tina Turner,” he said.
But before Tina was supposed to appear in the ballroom, Private Dancer got out and became a big world hit.
It has been certified five times platinum in the United States. It was certified three times platinum in the UK.
The star had been persuaded by Australian music producer Roger Davies (pictured) to act as her manager, where he booked her into the Hilton Melbourne ballroom
!['She [The Hilton]](https://www.spamchronicles.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/1684980153_140_How-a-Melbourne-hotel-helped-jumpstart-a-struggling-Tina-Turners.jpg "How a Melbourne hotel helped jumpstart a struggling Tina Turner's solo career 5")
‘She [The Hilton] “I booked her about 12 months in advance and at that point nobody was really interested in Tina Turner,” he said. Pictured: The Melbourne Hilton
“She was like the hottest music name in the world.” [once the album dropped],’ Peter recalled on the Private Dancer album. The album is credited with restarting her career
It spawned some of their most famous hits, including “What’s Love Got To Do With It?” and “Private Dancer.”
Despite her tremendous success with the album, Tina lived up to her commitments to the Australian hotel.
“She was like the hottest music name in the world.” [once the album dropped]” Peter recalled.
“But she honored that commitment anyway, so she was performing here in Melbourne at the Hilton for a couple hundred dollars a night at the time.”
Peter revealed how she flew back to Europe to play stadium tours.
Peter revealed how she flew back to Europe to play stadium tours. “She left here.” [Melbourne] and Sydney returned to Europe and started performing in stadiums,” he said
“She left here.” [Melbourne] “And Sydney went back to Europe and started performing in stadiums,” he said of the star.
The entertainment reporter continued to echo the sentiments of distraught fans around the world after her death was announced on Wednesday.
The star died at the age of 83 after bouts of illness.
“It’s an extraordinary career that requires so much perseverance alongside pure talent, just perseverance and survival,” he cooed.
“She was in her 40s before becoming a solo artist.”
“It’s an extraordinary career that requires so much perseverance alongside pure talent, just perseverance and survival,” he cooed. “She was in her 40s before becoming a solo artist.”